The Prince of Northern Qin, King of the Northern Frontier!
Upon hearing this—
The figure slowly opened its eyes. Although its aura was calm and even, Qin Lu still felt a sense of pressure...
Although it was a minor matter, it instilled in Qin Lu a greater sense of awe for the royal family!
The current Zhou emperor is no ordinary man!
Although separated only by a phantom image, Qin Lu felt as if he could use that image to directly confront the current Emperor of the Da Zhou...
Young, powerful, and experienced—that was Qin Lu's first impression of the Zhou Emperor!
Qin Lu's actual strength was roughly estimated to be around the Dao Foundation Sixth Layer, meaning he should be close to entering the seventh level, at less than a hundred years old...
To be able to cultivate to the Dao Foundation Sixth Layer —that's a true prodigy!
Even Qin Lu, who is now nearly ninety years old, has only just reached the Dao Foundation Fourth Layer, which shows that Emperor Zhou is exceptionally talented!
Meanwhile, the illusory figure continued to scrutinize Qin Lu.
Unconsciously, a hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes as he said:
Are you Qin Lu?
"He truly is a man of exceptional talent. In just twenty or thirty years, he has cultivated to the Dao Foundation Fourth Layer. Indeed, he has risen from humble beginnings..."
"How could he be that kind of lowly, uncouth man?"
"I've long heard that Minister Qin's alchemy skills are unparalleled, and what I've witnessed today is that his Divine Sense is exceptionally strong, a sight rarely seen in the world..."
"It seems the rumors aren't entirely Illusion!"
Speaking of this--
After a moment of silence and the initial pleasantries, Emperor Zhou began to ask questions:
"Although I have not witnessed Minister Qin's abilities firsthand, I believe he is more than capable of undertaking great responsibilities, not to mention his skillful maneuvering..."
"The combined strength of these three Dao Foundation makes them one of the strongest forces in our Da Zhou."
"In principle, I shouldn't interfere with the monetary and immortality policies implemented, but the current situation is rather special..."
"Therefore, I have no choice but to get involved!"
"I wonder if Minister Qin would be willing?"
Upon hearing this—
Qin Lu remained composed, still bowing respectfully, showing no sign of arrogance or hubris despite the Zhou Emperor's praise...
Clearly, this was a small test by the Zhou emperor!
If he hesitated even for the slightest, Qin Lu believed that a Core Formation True Person from the Da Zhou would appear before him immediately...
One palm strike and he's done for!
"Your humble servant would not dare!"
"Although the Great Qin is a prefecture-state, and the King Who Guards the North is still a prefecture-state of the Da Zhou, and the King of King Who Guards the North of the Da Zhou. If we can get the help of the royal family..."
"That is the long-cherished wish of my Northern Province!"
"Your Majesty need not do this. The entire Northern Province Northern Province first and foremost to the Da Zhou, then to the Northern Province of the Da Zhou, and finally..."
"It is indeed your humble servant, the Qin Clan's Northern Province!"
Upon hearing this--
The emperor's lips curled up slightly; clearly, Qin Lu's answer satisfied him!
"Qin Aiqing, you are very clever, not bad!"
"The Da Zhou needs talents like you, and you have the ability to earn the respect of the Qingxuan Zhou Clan. This is the treatment that the strong deserve..."
Go ahead and do it.
"Since the annexation of Daliang, the north has become too fragmented. The Nangong Clan of Southern Province and the Gao Clan of Northern Xuan Prefecture have both lost Dao Foundation cultivator stage..."
"Apart from the Qin Clan, there are only two other families in the entire north: the Hong Province Xie Clan and the Tai Province Wu Clan. The vast north is leaderless..."
"I need a powerful force to govern the Northern Frontier properly on my behalf!"
"As for Nangong Qinghong and Gao Xiong, I have no intention of investigating their deaths. I only believe in one thing..."
"The victor is king, the loser is an outlaw; the strong prey on the weak, and Heavenly Fate will decide!"
"Cause and effect are cyclical, and the world is impermanent. Since they have perished, it is because their skills were not up to par, and they have no one to blame but themselves. Moreover..."
"It's not necessarily because they were harmed by someone; if they risked venturing into dangerous territory..."
"Unexpected deaths are quite common."
"As for what to do next, I suppose I don't need to instruct you. Once order is restored and the Northern Frontier Northern Frontier is reorganized..."
"At that time, Myriad Treasures Pavilion will intervene in the Northern Frontier!"
"Of course, jurisdiction lies with Minister Qin, and how it is handled is entirely up to him. I don't concern myself with the process..."
"As long as we see results!"
"From now on, more than half of the revenue from the entire Northern Frontier each year must go to the Imperial Court. This is my bottom line..."
Upon hearing this--
A great weight was lifted from Qin Lu's heart. This matter was entirely expected and reasonable. Judging from Emperor Zhou's intentions, as long as the tribute was paid on time...
The Qingxuan Zhou Clan most likely wouldn't care whether their subordinate forces were fighting and killing each other!
After all, it doesn't matter who makes the offerings; it's just a matter of who it is. The Qingxuan Zhou Clan, although a member of the royal family of the Da Zhou...
But in essence, they are the same as cultivation Lineage!
Resources are the real core demand; it's the same for everyone...
The Da Zhou Dynasty, which has ruled for ten thousand years, possesses an intelligence system far more complex than imagined, although this has not yet become known to the outside world...
However, Emperor Zhou had already confirmed the deaths of Nangong Qinghong and Gao Xiong.
Obviously--
There was something fishy going on within these two families; the Zhou Clan had planted spies there long ago. Otherwise, how could such news have spread so easily...?
The more Qin Lu thought about it, the more he couldn't help but think of his own Lineage...
It is unknown whether there are royal spies among his children and grandchildren, or even whether his own descendants have been bribed!
Thinking of this--
Qin Lu felt a mix of emotions. He bowed respectfully to Emperor Zhou and said:
"Your Majesty, I will obey your decree!"
After speaking, the figure of Emperor Zhou slowly nodded, and finally, with a burst of golden light, vanished into thin air, gradually disappearing from sight...
After a long time--
Qin Lu then looked up, Shang Zhi's gaze towards Qin Lu held a hint of appreciation and a touch of respect...
"Congratulations, Brother Qin! Congratulations on gaining the favor of Emperor Zhou! You are destined for great success in your future endeavors!"
"If one day Brother Qin is able to unify the Northern Frontier, I hope that at that time, Brother Qin will support me and assist me..."
"Seize the position of headmaster of the Xiashang Dao Academy!"
Upon hearing this—
Qin Lu smiled calmly, helped Shang Zhi up, and said, "Unifying the Northern Frontier might require the assistance of the Xiashang Dao Academy!"
"These are all negotiable!"
"Mutual help and harmony bring wealth; that's the only way to a prosperous future, Brother Shang, don't you agree?!"
"Absolutely! Absolutely!"
Shang Zhi laughed heartily. After exchanging pleasantries, Shang Zhi bowed and took his leave, then stepped into the void and vanished, transforming into a streak of light...
Disappeared at the edge of the sky!
And in the stone pavilion—
Qin Lu remained calm and composed, summoning a precious fan and gently fanning himself as he gazed into the distance, lost in thought...
"Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Luo, to make this trip..."
"Xiao'er has compiled the list of Lineage to be eliminated. Fellow Daoist can decide for themselves which families to eliminate..."
"Those whose homes should be confiscated, confiscate their homes; those whose families should be exterminated, exterminate
"And this ghost banner, named ' Heaven Burial,' should also be taken along..."
"Remember, this banner only accepts the spirits of wronged souls with condensed Qi Condensation. Do not absorb any impure qi, for those remnant spirits of True Martial will only defile this treasure."
"Remember this! Remember this!"
Upon seeing this, Lu Ming accepted a ghost banner: Heaven Burial, and bowed deeply to Qin Lu...
"Yes, sir!"